Saturday, March 13, 2010

Project Vote Smart reports that New York Congressman John Hall, first elected in 2006 and up for re-election in November, 2010, represented the interests of the Humane Society of the United States 100% of the time in 2007 and 2008.

The above photo was taken in 2009, as Hall accepted his "Humane Advocate" award from Wayne Pacelle, HSUS CEO and President.

No photos from the 2010 award presentations ?

HumaneWatch.org reports that Hall was one of the few elected representatives from across the country to show up in person to collect his award this year. He was the only New York "honoree" who didn't have a pressing prior engagement that day. Oddly enough, we can't find this year's photo.

Revered Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis was fond of reminding the public that "sunlight is the best disinfectant."

And as the Humane Society of the United States charters buses to import its volunteer lobbyists to Albany in furtherance of HSUS's radical agenda, inconvenient truths about HSUS and its activities continue to surface.

(Note to New York legislators: Do you REALLY want to listen to an organization involved in a RICO suit that is simultaneously under scrutiny for tax fraud? An organization that, despite its name, gives less than one half of one percent of its $100 million budget to hands-on pet shelters?)

. . .it's time to look a little more closely at HSUS's activities in Albany.

HSUS does not "attempt to influence national, state or local regulation"? Really?

On page 17 of HSUS's 2007 IRS Form 990, HSUS asserts that it did not attempt to influence state regulation. Not through the activities of its volunteers, and not through the activities of paid staff.

In fact, Wayne Pacelle's letter to the NY State lobbying commission confirms the arrangement. The commission database holds several such letters. The most recent one covers 2009 - 2010, during which time Schomberg will be paid $81,240.64 by the Humane Society of the United States for lobbying.

HumaneWatch.org thinks HSUS should do much better for needy pets and livestock. So do we.

Instead of using its enormous wealth to shelter homeless animals, HSUS will be lobbying hard in favor of Assemblywoman Amy Paulin's proposal to criminalize the ownership of healthy, happy dogs and cats. Paulin's proposal --outlawing pet ownership based only on the number of animals present, and not on the level of care provided--is a radical departure from any previous regulation of animal ownership. Under the terms of A7285, having "too many" dogs or cats would be grounds for seizure -- and pre-trial, permanent forfeiture. Under existing state law, impounding organizations can sell off, or even kill, forfeited animals.

Masquerading as a "puppymill" remedy, Paulin's proposal offers no new protections for animals. It simply provides a new excuse for removing pets from their owners: "too many" animals present.

Transparency in government

The Humane Society of the United States agenda does not reflect the needs and values of New York voters. Compassionate New York voters believe that "humane societies" should devote a significant portion of charitable donations to caring for animals in need, and not squander it on Albany lobbyists.

Empire State Animal Alliance volunteers will be polling candidates for public office this November, soliciting their opinions on a range of topics. Our goal is to identify and endorse candidates who understand and support the responsible and humane ownership of pets, work companions and livestock. Candidates with views supporting animal rights extremism will be identified. If you or your organization can help us canvass the candidates, please contact us at ESAAVolunteer@live.com

Empire State Animal Alliance Extremist Watch List

Welcome to the Empire State Animal Alliance

We are a non-partisan group of New York animal owners and voters.

Because we believe in transparency in government, ESAA will work to identify and disclose the positions and voting records of New York's elected public officials on legislative proposals and laws which govern the ownership of pets, working companions, livestock and other animals.

The Empire State Animal Alliance is an IRS Section 527 PAC organization.